Appliance

ABSTRACT

An appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer is disclosed. The step assembly is configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open.

The present invention relates to an appliance and, in particular, to a refrigerator.

An appliance such as a refrigerator or a freezer may be quite tall making it difficult for some users to reach the top of, or regions above, the appliance where articles may be stored. As these areas are inaccessible to many, they may not be used and valuable storage space is wasted. This can be a problem in, for example, a cramped industrial kitchen where space is at a premium. Even if the non-easily accessible space is used, a person may be tempted to stand on a chair placed adjacent to the appliance to reach above the appliance which may result in injury if they were to fall.

The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially alleviate the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention there is provided an appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer comprising a base having a drawer and a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open.

The appliance may comprise a step lifting mechanism operable to raise the step assembly into its extended position.

Conveniently, the step lifting mechanism is configured so that it also moves the step assembly laterally whilst raising it into its extended position.

Preferably, the step assembly comprises first and second steps, the step lifting mechanism being configured to raise the second step into an extended position above the first step as the first step is being raised into its extended position.

Conveniently, the drawer has a leading edge and the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the first step laterally in a forward direction in which it overhangs said leading edge of the drawer, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions.

In one embodiment, the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the second step laterally in a rearward direction, opposite to the direction in which the first step is laterally moved, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions.

The step lifting mechanism may include first step support arms, said first step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the drawer and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the first step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said first step support arms about their respective first pivots to raise the first step into its extended position.

Conveniently, the first step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the first step support arms are configured such that said first step remains parallel to said plane as the first step is moved into its extended position.

Preferably, the first step support arms are configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot.

The step lifting mechanism may include second step support arms, said second step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the first step and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the second step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said second step support arms about their respective pivots to raise the second step into its extended position.

Conveniently, the second step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the second step support arms are configured such that said second step remains parallel to said plane as the second step is moved into its extended position.

Preferably, the second step support arm is configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot.

In one embodiment, the step lifting mechanism is operable to rotate the first step support arms in a first direction and the second step support arms in the opposite direction.

The step lifting mechanism may comprise gears to drivingly couple movement of the first step support arms to movement of the second step support arms.

In One embodiment, the step assembly is retained in the drawer by a locking member and the step lifting mechanism includes a spring element to bias the step assembly into its extended position when the locking member is released.

Preferably, the appliance comprises a motor to drive the first step support arm about its first pivot to raise the step assembly to its extended position or lower it back into the drawer. The appliance may further comprise a switch to activate the motor.

Conveniently, the step lifting mechanism comprises stops positioned such that the first and second step support arms contact said stops when said first and second support arms have rotated beyond their centre positions such that the weight of a person on said first or second steps is directed through said stops via said step support arms.

Preferably, the appliance comprises a release mechanism to release the drawer.

In one embodiment, the appliance comprises a biasing member to bias the drawer into its open position such that the drawer slides into its open position when the release member has been activated.

The biasing member may comprise a spring and a pulley attached to the drawer.

According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided comprising an appliance as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a storage unit located on a top surface of the appliance, the step assembly of the appliance providing access to the storage compartment by enabling a person to stand on the step assembly when said step assembly is in its extended position.

Preferably, the storage compartment is integrally formed with the appliance.

In an alternative embodiment, the storage compartment is configured to be removably attachable to the appliance.

Conveniently, a lower surface of the storage unit is stepped and the top surface of the appliance has a corresponding stepped profile so that the movement of the unit storage relative to the appliance is reduced.

In one embodiment, the appliance comprises a first refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the appliance and the storage compartment comprises a second separate refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the storage compartment.

Preferably, the appliance comprises a refrigerating system and the storage compartment is connected to the refrigerating system such that said refrigerant system regulates the temperature of both the appliance and the storage compartment.

According to the invention, there is also provided an apparatus positionable beneath a refrigerator or freezer comprising a base having a drawer and a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position in front of the refrigerator or freezer to provide a step when the drawer is open.

Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a refrigerator having a base provided with a drawer and a step assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top planar view of the drawer in a closed position;

FIG. 3 shows a top planar view of the drawer in an open position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the drawer in its open position and the step assembly in an extended position;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the drawer in its open position and the step assembly in its extended position;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a gear arrangement of the step assembly;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the a portion of the drawer and the step assembly provided with a motor driving the step assembly;

FIG. 8 shows a geometric side view of the step assembly in its folded position;

FIG. 9 shows a geometric side view of the step assembly in its extended position;

FIG. 10 shows a geometric side view of the step assembly in an intermediate position between its folded and extended positions;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an appliance provided with a storage compartment; and

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the appliance shown in FIG. 11 without the storage compartment.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a refrigerator 1 comprising a base 2 having a drawer 3 provided with a foldable step assembly 4, the drawer 3 being shown in an open position with the step assembly 4 deployed. In a stowed position, the foldable step assembly 4 is received in the drawer 3 so that the drawer 3 can be slid back into the base 2 beneath the main body of the refrigerator 1. In its open position shown in FIG. 1, the step assembly 4 extends out of the drawer 3 to provide first and second steps 20, 21 (see FIG. 4), as explained in more detail below.

As is apparent from FIG. 4, the base 2 comprises a base bottom wall 6 having two base side walls 7, 8 and a base rear wall 9 upstanding therefrom. The base 2 is located underneath the refrigerator 1 and the base side walls 7, 8 and base rear wall 9 lie flush with side walls 10 and rear wall of the refrigerator 1, respectively. The base 2 may be removably attachable to the refrigerator 1 and, together with the drawer 3 and step assembly 4, form an integral unit that may be attached to the underside of an existing refrigerator 1 or be specified as optional component for a particular refrigerator model. For example, the base 2, together with its drawer and foldable step assembly can be formed as a cassette or independent apparatus that can be fitted to, and easily removed from, an appliance. This would make it easier to carry out maintenance or replacement of the unit without compromising continued use of the refrigerator.

The drawer 3 is slideably received within the base 2 such that the drawer 3 can be slid between a closed position in which it is received within the base 2, and an open position in which it projects from the base, as shown in FIG. 4. The drawer 3 comprises a drawer bottom wall 12 having two drawer side walls 11 a, 11 b, as can be appreciated in FIGS. 1 to 4. The drawer 3 further comprises a drawer 3 rear wall 15 and a drawer front wall 13 upstanding from said drawer bottom wall 12. The drawer front wall 13 is provided with a leading edge 13 a.

A cooperating slide mechanism 14 is mounted to the underside of the drawer bottom wall 12 and the upperside of the base bottom wall 6 to enable the drawer 3 to easily slide between its closed and opened positions. The slide mechanism 14 may be similar to those known in the art for conventional drawer sliders commonly used on furniture. The drawer 3 may additionally be provided with wheels or other slide supports extending from the lower face of the drawer bottom wall 6, to provide additional support to the drawer 3 when in its open position and, so that the weight of a person standing on the step assembly 4 is carried by the surface on which the refrigerator 1 is placed, through the wheels and/or slide supports, rather than through the slide mechanism 14.

The drawer 3 may be held in its closed position by a latch (not shown) and a drawer release mechanism (not shown) controls release of the latch to retain the drawer 3 in a closed position. In one embodiment, the release mechanism may be a microswitch which is activated by applying pressure to the drawer front wall 13 by a user. By doing so, the microswitch is operated to release the latch to allow the drawer 3 to slide into its open position. As the drawer 3 is at the bottom of the appliance, adjacent to the floor, it is envisaged that a user may apply pressure to the drawer front wall 13 with their foot, thereby avoiding the need to bend down. Alternatively, the appliance may include a control switch mounted on the face of the appliance at an accessible height and which can be operated by hand.

Once the latch has been released, the drawer 3 opens automatically. This is achieved by biasing the drawer 3 into its open position using a biasing member such as a spring or piston mounted to the base 2 and acting against the drawer 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the biasing member includes a pulley 16, a spring 17 and a cable 18. One end of the cable 18 is attached to the drawer side wall 11 a and the opposite end of the cable 18 is attached to the spring 17 which is secured to the base rear wall 9 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cable 18 is fed around the pulley 16 which is secured to the base bottom wall 6 between one of the base side walls 7 and adjacent drawer side wall 11 a. When the drawer 3 is in a closed position as seen in FIG. 2, the spring 17 is in tension and so the drawer 3 is held against a bias that would cause it to slide into its open position were it not being held in its closed position by the latch. When a user activates the release mechanism by pressing on the drawer front wall 13, the drawer 3 is pulled open by the spring 17 contracting and pulling the cable 18 around the pulley 16, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 3.

On an opposite side of the drawer 3 to the opening mechanism, a belt 19 c extends around two pulleys 19 a, 19 b as can be appreciated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The two pulleys 19 a, 19 b are secured to the base bottom wall 6 and the belt is rotatable around the two pulleys 19 a, 19 b. The belt 19 c is attached to one of the drawer side walls 11 b such that the belt rotates about the two pulleys 19 a, 19 b when the drawer is moved between its closed and open positions. One of the two pulleys 19 a is configured to dampen or control the speed at which the belt 19 c rotates around the two pulleys, thus controlling the speed at which the drawer 3 opens.

One of the pulleys 19 a, 19 b may be rotatably driven by a motor (not shown) so that the belt is rotated to drive the drawer 3 back into its closed position, either in response to the user applying pressure to the front wall 13 of the drawer 3 or, in response to activation of some other control button. In this case, the power generated by the motor is sufficient to overcome the biasing force that tends to move the drawer 3 into is open position.

The step assembly 4 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. The step assembly 4 comprises a first 20 and a second step 21, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Each step 20, 21 comprises a platform having an upper surface upon which a user may stand when the step assembly 4 has been deployed from the drawer 3 into the position shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. Each platform is mounted on a frame that forms part of a step lifting and support mechanism 22, and has a peripheral downwardly extending edge 20 a, 21 a. The step lifting and support mechanism 22 is operable to move the first step 20 and second step 21 between a folded position as shown in FIG. 8, in which the step assembly is received and stowed within the drawer 3, and an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 9, in which the step assembly extends from the drawer 3 into a position in which a user may step up onto the second step 21 via the first step 20 to place them in an elevated position in front of the appliance, thereby enabling them to access areas that they would otherwise be unable to reach.

The step lifting mechanism 22 is practically illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and illustrated in geometric form in FIGS. 8 to 10. The step lifting mechanism 22 comprises four first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d, wherein two of the first step support arms 23 c, 23 d are located on either side of the drawer side walls 11 a, 11 b towards the back of the drawer 3 and so are referred to as rear first step support arms. The other two first step support arms 23 a, 23 b are located on either side of the drawer side walls 11 a, 11 b towards the front of the drawer 3 and so are referred to as front first step support arms. The first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d each comprises a first pivot 24 coupling a lower first end of each first step support arm to the respective drawer side walls 11 a, 11 b, and the opposite upper second end of each of the first support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d comprises a second pivot 25 coupled to the frame to which the platform of the first step 20 is mounted.

The step lifting mechanism 22 further comprises four second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d, wherein two of the four second step support arms 26 c, 26 d are located on either side of the steps 20, 21 towards the back of the drawer 3 and so are referred to as the rear second step support arms. The other two second step support arms 26 a, 26 b are located on either side of the steps 20, 21 towards the front of the drawer 3 and so are referred to as the front second step support arms. The second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d each comprise a first pivot 27 coupling a first lower end of each support arm to the frame supporting the platform of the first step 20, via openings in the downward extending edge 20 a of the first step 20, and a second pivot 28 coupling the upper second end of each support arm to the frame of the second step 21.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d are each paired to a particular second step support arm 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d such that the second pivot 25 of each of the first support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d shares the same axis as the first pivot 27 of a corresponding second step support arm 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. Furthermore, the first pivot 27 of each second step support arm 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d is sandwiched between the side part of the downward extending edge 20 a of the first step 20 and the corresponding first step support arm 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d.

Stops 37 are provided to support the step assembly 4 in an extended position. The stops 37 are mounted to the side wall 11 a, 11 b of the drawer 3 adjacent to the first pivots 24 of the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d, and also to the downward extending edge 21 a of the second step 21 adjacent to the second pivot 28 of the second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. Each stop 37 have a sloping surface 37 a which engages with a corresponding first and second step support arm 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d, 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. The stops 37 prevent the first and second steps 20, 21 from rotating beyond their extended positions as explained in more detail below.

Torsion springs 39 having two arms 38 are located by the first pivot 24 of each of the rear first step support arms 23 c, 23 d. One of the arms 38 of each torsion spring 39 is aligned with and engage the drawer bottom wall 12 and the other arm 38 is aligned with and engage a corresponding rear first step support arm 23 c, 23 d such that the torsion springs bias the first step 20 into its extended position.

Similarly, torsion springs 39 having two arms are also located by the second pivot 28 of the tear second step support arms 26 c, 26 d. One of the arms 38 of each torsion spring 39 is aligned with and engages a lower surface of the platform of the second step 21 and the other arm is aligned with and engage a corresponding rear second step support arm 26 c, 26 d such that the springs 39 bias the second step 21 into its extended position.

The stops 37 counteract the bias of the torsion springs 39 such that the first and second steps 20, 21 are stably held in an extended position when the drawer 3 is deployed.

As shown in FIG. 6, between the rear first step support arms 23 c, 23 d, two drive beams 29, 30 are provided. A first end of each drive beam 29, 30 is pivotally connected to a support wall 28 of the drawer 3 and the opposite second ends are pivotally connected to a first rod 31 extending underneath the first step 20 and forming part of the frame to which the platform of the first step is mounted. A gear 32 is fixedly mounted to the upper end of one of the beams 29, 30. The gear 32 cooperates with a corresponding gear 33 fixedly mounted onto a second rod 34 running parallel to the first rod 31. The second rod extends through holes of the frame of the first step so that it is fixedly attached to the first end of each of the tear second step support arms 26 c, 26 d.

A motor 40 is mounted on the base 2, which drives the step assembly 4 between folded and extended positions. The motor 40 is located at the back of the drawer 3, as seen in FIG. 4. As can be appreciated from FIG. 9, the motor 40 drives a belt 41 which extends around a step lifting gear 42 which is located adjacent to one of the drawer side walls 11 a. The step lifting gear 42 is connected to the first end of one of the rear first step support arms 23 d. The motor 40 is further provided with a switch (not shown) accessible to a user such that when the motor is switched on it provides translational movement to the belt 41 which drives the step lifting gear 42. When the step lifting gear 42 is driven by the belt and the motor, the rear first step support arm 23 d to which the gear is connected rotates about an axis of its pivotal coupling to the drawer side wall 11 a.

The switch switches the motor 40 on so as to raise the step assembly into its extended position when the drawer 3 has reached its open position or alternatively a user presses the switch when the drawer has been pulled out. In one embodiment, the drawer 3 itself may operate a microswitch when it teaches its open position so that the step assembly 4 extends automatically without further input from the user when the drawer 3 is in its open position. Any switch for controlling extension of the step assembly 4 is then provided only for initiation retraction of the step assembly 4 back into its stowed position within the drawer 3.

Operation of the base 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

When the drawer is closed, the base side walls 7, 8, base tear wall 9 lie flush with corresponding side walls and rear wall of the refrigerator and the drawer front wall 13 lies flush with the front wall of the refrigerator. In this condition, the step assembly 4 is fully concealed beneath the appliance. The front wall 13 may be designed to match closely with the design of the front of the appliance to provide an attractive appearance.

When the drawer is closed, the step assembly 4 is fully received in the drawer 3 and the plane of the first and second steps 20, 21 lie in a close parallel relationship to one another. Furthermore, when the step assembly 4 is folded and received in the drawer 3, the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d and the second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d are substantially parallel to the planes of the first and second steps 20, 21 as can be appreciated from FIG. 8.

To open the drawer 3, a user gently pushes the drawer front wall 13 into the base 2 with their foot. This activates the release mechanism (not shown), which causes the drawer 3 to opened under the bias provided by the spring. When the release mechanism has been activated, the spring 17 of the biasing member contracts, such that the string 18 feed around the pulley 16 pulls the drawer 3 opened as seen in FIG. 3. The belt 19 c extending around two pulleys 19 a, 19 b controls the speed at which the drawer 3 is opened by the biasing member. This is achieved by one of the pulleys 19 a being configured to have a unidirectional dampening effect on the movement of the belt 19 c. Thus, the speed of the belt rotating in a first direction when the drawer is opened is controlled, whereas the belt does not interfere with the speed of the drawer when the drawer is closed.

When the drawer 3 has been pulled out into its open position by the biasing member, the switch (not shown) of the motor 40 is activated. The motor 40 provides rotational movement to its cooperating belt 41 and step assembly gear 42. As the step assembly gear 42 is attached to one of the rear first step support arms 23 d, said support arm 23 d rotates about its first pivot 24 in response to rotation of the step assembly gear 42. The rotation of the rear step support arm 23 d drives the rotation of the remaining first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c that are pivotally coupled to respective drawer side wall 11 a, 11 b such that the second ends of the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d rise away from the drawer base wall 12. As the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d rotate, they rotate beyond a centre or intermediate position in which the second pivot 25 of the second end of the first step support arms is directly above the first pivot 24 of the first end of the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d as shown in FIG. 10.

As the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d are rotated about their respective first pivots 24, the first step 20 moves into its extended position as seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 9. When the first step 20 rises into its extended position the step 20 also moves laterally in a forward direction in which it overhangs the leading edge 13 a of the drawer front wall 13. Furthermore, when the first step 20 rises into its extended position, it remains parallel to the plane in which it lies when it is in its stowed position. This is due to the second pivots 25 of the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d coupling the second end of the support arms to the first step 20.

As the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d are rotated about their respective first pivots 24 of their first ends, the drive beams 29, 30 located between the tear step support arms provide rotational movement to their respective gear 32. The gears 32 are rotated due to the first end of the drive beams 29, 30 being pivotally connected to the support wall 28 of the drawer and the second end of the drive beams 29, 30 being pivotally connected to the first rod 31, and the first rod 31 rotating about the axis of the pivot coupling the first end of the drive beams 29, 30 to the support wall 28 as the motor drives one of the tear second step support arms 26 d.

The gears 32 of the drive beams 29, 30 cooperate with the gears 33 fixed to the second rod 34 such that the cooperating gears 32, 33 provide a rotational movement to said second rod 34. As the second rod is attached to the first end of the rear second step support arms 26 c, 26 d, the rotational movement of the second rod 34 is transferred to the tear second step support arms 26 c, 26 d such that these arms rotate about their pivotal coupling 27 to the first step 20. The rotation of the rear second step support arms 26 c, 26 d drives the front second step support arms 26 a, 26 b to rotate about their pivotal coupling 27 to the first step 1. The second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d rotate about their first pivot 27 such that the opposite second end of each support arm rotates in the opposite direction to the first step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d. As the second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d rotate, they rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot 28 of the second end of the second step support arms is directly above the first pivot 27 of the first end of the second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Due to the configuration of the step assembly, the second step 21 rotates in the opposite direction to the first step 20 as the step assembly is raised into its extended position. The second step also moves laterally in a rearward direction in which it moves away from the leading edge 13 a of the drawer when it rises into its extended position. Furthermore, when the second step rises to its extended position, it remains parallel to the plane in which it lies when it is in its folded position due to the second ends of the second step support arms 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d being pivotally coupled to the second step 21.

The configuration of the step assembly enables the first and second steps 20, 21 to simultaneously rise into their respective extended positions in response to the rotational movement generated by the motor 40. As the second step rotates in an opposite direction to the first step, the second step is set back relative to the first step in their extended position and so a user can easily walk up to the second higher step 21 by first stepping on the first step 20. Therefore, the step assembly provides two steps such that a user can access a range of higher regions of the refrigerator.

The first and second steps 20, 21 rise into their extended positions such that they rotate beyond said centre points as explained above. The stops 37 prevent the steps 20, 21 from continuing to rotate by the angled surface 37 a of each stop engaging a corresponding first or second step support arm 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d, 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d. As the stops engage the support arms when the step assembly is in its raised position, the weight of a person standing on either the first or the second step is directed through the stops via the support arms thereby minimising any strain on the pivots of the step assembly. This also prevents the weight of a person closing the step assembly, as the steps must first move upwardly, back over their centre or intermediate positions, prior to folding back into the drawer 3.

The torsion springs 39 bias the step assembly into its raised position and so also prevents the step assembly from accidentally rotating in a direction towards its folded position. Therefore, the torsion springs 39 counteract the stops 37 and so the step assembly is stable in its extended position and does not accidentally continue to rotate in either direction whilst it is in use.

When a user has finished using the step assembly they press the switch of the motor so that the step assembly 4 folds into its folded position. The steps 20, 21 and their respective first and second step support arms 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, 23 d, 26 a, 26 b, 26 c, 26 d then rotate in the opposite direction to when the step assembly rises into its extended position. When the step assembly 4 is in its complete folded position, the user pushes the drawer 3 into its base using their foot. The latch latches on to the drawer 3 and so retains the drawer 3 in its closed position.

The base including the drawer and step assembly as described above provide a convenient way for a user to access higher regions of a refrigerator. As the base is located underneath the refrigerator, the step assembly can be stored out of the way when not in use and easily accessed when needed.

In an alternative un-illustrated embodiment, the motor is replaced by a spring element that biases the step assembly into its extended position. The spring element may be the torsion springs 38 as explained above in relation to the earlier embodiment. As the spring element biases the step assembly into its extended position, a locking member counteracts the biasing force of the spring element by retaining the step assembly in its folded position until the locking member is released. In this embodiment, the base 2 is operated manually and the steps rise to their extended positions by a user gently pressing the drawer front wall 13 with their foot so that the release mechanism releases the drawer 3 from the base 2 in a similar way as the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. As the drawer 3 is released from base 2 the locking member retaining the step assembly 4 in its folded position releases the step assembly 4 such that the spring element rises the step assembly 4 into its extended position in a similar way to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. When a user is to close the drawer, they push the first step 20 away from the leading edge 13 a such that the first and second steps 20, 21 rotate in opposite directions into the drawer 3. When the step assembly is received in the drawer 3 the locking member is activated and retains the step assembly in its folded position against the biasing force of the spring element. A user then pushes the drawer 3 into its base 4 so as to close said drawer 3.

It should also be understood that the biasing member which automatically opens the drawer, is not limited to a pulley, a spring and a cable. The biasing member may alternatively comprise a compression spring, or cylinder and piston that is located between the base rear wall and the base drawer wall and urges the drawer wall into an open position.

A release mechanism would be provided which retains the drawer in its closed position when the step assembly is not in use.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the step assembly is hydraulically driven.

It should also be understood that the base may be fully or partially electrically driven, or completely manually operated by a user. For example, a motor may be used to drive both the opening and closing of the drawer as well as the extending and folding of the step assembly. Alternatively, a motor may drive the opening and closing of the drawer only and a spring member may be used to extend the step assembly. In yet another alternative, a user manually pulls out the drawer and thereafter presses a switch to activate a motor which extends and folds the step assembly.

Although the above description describes a step assembly comprising two steps, it should be understood that the step assembly can alternatively comprise a single step or a plurality of steps. In the embodiment of a single step, the configuration of the base and drawer is the same as the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 including any alternative and optional features. The step assembly according to this embodiment differs to any previously described embodiment in that it only comprises a single first step and so the step assembly is similarly configured as described above, however the step assembly does not comprise a second step, second step support arms, drive beams and associated gears and rods.

Although two steps are preferred, a three step embodiment is also envisaged. In a three step embodiment, the third or uppermost step would rise up from the second step and be coupled to the second step in the same way as previously described. As it is raised, the third step would move laterally in the same direction as the second step.

In the above description the appliance is referred to as a refrigerator, however a skilled person would understand that the base can be applied to a freezer or a combined refrigerator and freezer. Another example of an appliance suitable for being fitted with a base as described above is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This appliance comprises a refrigerator 50 having a separate storage compartment 51 standing on top of the refrigerator 50. In FIG. 11, the storage compartment 51 is used as a space for storing and cooling wine.

The storage compartment 51 is thermally insulated and temperature regulated so that products received in the compartment can be chilled to a desired temperature. The storage compartment 51 comprises a separate refrigerating system to the refrigerating system of the refrigerator and so the temperature of the storage compartment is regulated separately to the temperature of the refrigerator 50, thus the storage compartment can have a different temperature setting to the refrigerator 50. Therefore, the storage compartment 51 utilises the space above the refrigerator 50 that otherwise might have been wasted.

It is envisaged that the desired and/or actual temperature in the storage compartment 51 is displayed on a display window.

The storage compartment 51 comprises two transparent doors 52, 53 each having a handle 54, 55 attached thereto. The transparent doors 52, 53 provide visual access to the content held in the storage compartment 51. A user can access the content held in the storage compartment by pulling on one or both of the handles 54, 55 attached to the doors 52, 53.

The storage compartment 51 is fitted with three shelves 56, 57, 58 for holding products. The shelves may comprise parallel recesses each being configured to hold a bottle lying horizontally.

The side walls 59 and tear wall (not shown) of the storage compartment lie flush with the side walls 60 and tear wall (not shown) of the refrigerator, and the doors of the storage compartment 52, 53 lie flush with doors 61, 62 of the refrigerator 50 so as to create the impression that the storage compartment 51 and the refrigerator 50 are one unit.

The storage compartment 51 may be removably attachable to the refrigerator 50 such that it can be attached to the top of an existing refrigerator or bought as an optional component to a model of a refrigerator or freezer. In this configuration, the storage compartment is secured to the refrigerator by a fastening member (not shown). Alternatively, the storage compartment may be integrally formed with the refrigerator and if so, it is envisaged that the storage compartment has a separate refrigerating system to the refrigerator such that it can have a different temperature setting to said refrigerator. In an alternative embodiment, a single refrigerating system is used for the refrigerator and the storage compartment such their temperature is regulated simultaneously.

A top 63 of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 12 is stepped such that a front region 64 is higher than a rear region 65. A bottom surface 66 of the storage compartment is configured to have a corresponding stepped shape as can be appreciated from FIG. 11. To provide an aesthetical appearance of the connection of the storage compartment 51 and the refrigerator 50, the side walls 60 of the storage compartment is formed with a line of indentation or recess 67 that extends from the part of the bottom surface that engages with the front region of the refrigerator. The stepped configuration minimises movement of the storage compartment in a direction towards a user when a user opens the doors to the storage compartment.

It should be understood that storage compartment is not limited to a refrigerator but is also suitable for a freezer and a combined refrigerator and freezer.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments only. Modifications and alterations to the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims are included within the scope of protection. 

1. An appliance comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open.
 2. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a step lifting mechanism operable to raise the step assembly into the extended position.
 3. An appliance according to claim 2, wherein the step lifting mechanism is configured so that it moves the step assembly laterally whilst raising it into its extended position.
 4. An appliance according to claim 3, wherein the step assembly comprises first and second steps, the step lifting mechanism being configured to raise the second step into an extended position above the first step as the first step is being raised into its extended position.
 5. An appliance according to claim 4, wherein the drawer has a leading edge and the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the first step laterally in a forward direction in which it overhangs said leading edge of the drawer, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions.
 6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the step lifting mechanism is configured to move the second step laterally in a rearward direction, opposite to the direction in which the first step is laterally moved, whilst raising the first and second steps into their extended positions.
 7. An appliance according to claim 2, wherein the step lifting mechanism includes first step support arms, said first step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the drawer and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the first step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said first step support arms about their respective first pivots to raise the first step into its extended position.
 8. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the first step support arms are configured such that said first step remains parallel to said plane as the first step is moved into its extended position.
 9. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the first step support arms are configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot.
 10. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the step lifting mechanism includes second step support arms, said second step support arms each having a first pivot coupling one end of said arm to the first step and a second pivot coupling the opposite end of said arm to the second step, the step lifting mechanism being operable to rotate at least one of said second step support arms about their respective pivots to raise the second step into its extended position.
 11. An appliance according to claim 10, wherein the second step lies in a plane when received in the drawer and the second step support arms are configured such that said second step remains parallel to said plane as the second step is moved into its extended position.
 12. An appliance according to claim 10, wherein the second step support arm is configured to rotate beyond a centre position in which the second pivot is directly above the first pivot.
 13. An appliance according to claim 10, wherein the step lifting mechanism is operable to rotate the first step support arms in a first direction and the second step support arms in the opposite direction.
 14. An appliance according to claim 10, wherein the step lifting mechanism comprises gears to drivingly couple movement of the first step support arms to movement of the second step support arms.
 15. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the step assembly is retained in the drawer by a locking member and the step lifting mechanism includes a spring element configured to bias the step assembly into its extended position when the locking member is released.
 16. An appliance according to claim 7, comprising a motor configured to drive the first step support arm about its first pivot to rise the step assembly to its extended position or lower it back into the drawer.
 17. An appliance according to claim 16, comprising a switch configured to activate the motor.
 18. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the step lifting mechanism comprises stops positioned such that the first and second step support arms contact said stops when said first and second support arms have rotated beyond their centre positions such that the weight of a person on said first or second steps is directed through said stops via said step support arms.
 19. An appliance according to claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism configured to release the drawer.
 20. An appliance according to claim 19, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias the drawer into its open position such that the drawer slides into its open position when the release member has been activated.
 21. An appliance according to claim 20, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring and a pulley operably coupled to the drawer.
 22. An apparatus comprising: an appliance comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open; and a storage unit positioned on a top surface of the appliance, the step assembly of the appliance providing access to the storage compartment by enabling a person to stand on the step assembly when said step assembly is in its extended position.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the storage compartment is integrally formed with the appliance.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the storage compartment is configured to be removably attachable to the appliance.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the appliance comprises a first refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the appliance and the storage compartment comprises a second refrigerating system for regulating the temperature of the storage compartment.
 26. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the appliance comprises a refrigerating system and the storage compartment is connected to the refrigerating system such that said refrigerant system regulates the temperature of both the appliance and the storage compartment.
 27. Apparatus positionable beneath an appliance comprising a base having a drawer and a foldable step assembly received in the drawer, said step assembly being configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position in front of the appliance to provide a step when the drawer is open. 